Thank you gifts

Hi guys,

Something I love doing is making little Thank you gifts for my hostesses for having a party. Last night I hosted a workshop for an old friend who I haven't seen in 8 (or so) yrs. She found me on Facebook and started looking at my blog through my facebook page. It was so great to rekindle the friendship and do a great party for her and her mum so I had to make them something extra special and beautiful.

Here's a card and double pillow box gift I made for them.



The beautiful card was made with Friends 24-7. I used one of my much loved colours which will be retiring in September (tear), Mellow Moss teamed up with the beautiful Rose Red and Choc Chip. Such a beautiful combination. Here's a close up of the goodies



The Pillow box was made as a double box by starting with an A5 halved and cut out in the bigshot leaving half of the top tab over lapping so it connects the box and doesn't fully cut it out. I then covered the middle with cardstock so you couldn't see the middle score lines of the box. (I hope that makes sense) Email me if you want more detail. I then put a hot chocolate sachet inside which fit perfectly.



Stamp Sets: Friends 24-7, Trendy Trees
Ink: Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Mellow Moss, Timber Brown Stazon (Non SU!)
Cardstock: Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Mellow Moss, Watercolour Paper
Accessories: Mellow Moss Taffeta Ribbon, Aqua Painter, Rose Red Brad, Mini Glue dots, Sticky Strip (for pillow box)

Have a lovely and fun weekend
Dani

Happy 1st Birthday Ethan

Hi guys,

One of Rileys friends (and sort of boyfriend) Ethan turned one during the week and had his birthday party yesterday so I had to make him a card to go with his present. I was going to go punch arty and make a Winnie the Pooh card cos his mum is a little Winnie the Pooh crazy but I didn't have all the punches I needed so I decided to pull out one of my much loved sets 'Wild About You.' My Spidie senses are telling me this set may retire at the end of this catalogue so I wanted to get a little more use out of it before it does. Here's the card I came up with...



Isn't that colour combo divine? Its' So Saffron, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery and Basic Grey. I was really happy with those colours! Will be using those again! I have seen Makeesha Byl do that gorgeous ribbon out the side with button attached for a while now and keep meaning to give it a go. After seeing her tutorial this week (found in this post) I was inspired to do it. This is the 3rd card this week I've made with it. It just gives the card something extra. Please note though this card won't fit into an envelope like this though. The button especially makes it to bulky!

Stamp Set: Wild About You, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Ink: Basic Grey, So Saffron, Certainly Celery
Cardstock: So Saffron, Basic Grey, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery Prints DSP*
Accesories: 1 1/2" square punch, dimensionals, certainly celery ribbon, Non SU button, Sticky Strip, linen thread

Thanks for looking

Enjoy the beautiful Sunday weather we have today!
Dani

Inkspirations Challenge #31

Hi guys,

As I stated the other day when I saw this sketch I had another idea I wanted to try. Now I must say I'm not 100% happy with the outcome but still thought the card was cute so I thought I'd share it anyway. Here is the sketch we had to work with...



My team are currently doing a swap using the technique "suspension cards." As I have only ever made one of these before I thought this sketch gave me the perfect opportunity to practice. I am glad I did because there is alot of tweaking that needs to be done before I am 100% happy with it. This card also took alot of work because I haven't replaced all the punches I lost when my stuff was stolen so I cut all the squares for this card with my cutter and not a punch or big shot dye!

Here's the card...



The suspended "bugs and kisses" square spins to reveal a picture on the other side. Here is the card with the other side of the suspension



Too cute huh??? Here's a close up of the suspension mid twist.



Stamp Set: Bugs and Kisses
Ink: Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red
Cardstock: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Summer Picnic DSP*
Accessories: Dental Floss, Sticky Strip, Scallop Edge Punch, Tangerine Tango Ribbon, SAMJ, Paper Cutter

Thanks for looking,
Dani

Christmas Stamp A Stack

Hi guys,

With all the Christmas in July stuff happening I thought now would be a great time to get organised for Christmas so I am starting Christmas Stamp-A-Stacks.

What is a Stamp A Stack? Quick and simple class where participants get to ‘stamp a stack’ of cards in a small amount of time. These cards are usually simpler in design and are great for people of any card making ability. These can be held at my place or yours. Usually make 8-10 cards for $20 but this can be changed to meet needs and time constraints of group needs.

I am holding a Christmas Card Stamp A Stack Class at my place for the next few months leading up to Christmas. The aim is to get all your Christmas Cards made and ready to send out before Christmas rather than cramming them in at the last minute like I often do.
Here are the details of the first one:

When: Friday 30th July 2010
Time: 7pm -9:30pm
Where: My Place in St Marys, Please call 0420 974 200 to confirm your attendance and I will give you my address
Price: $20 for 10 cards, 2 of 5 designs
Please bring your own double sided tape or SNAIL adhesive. Alternatively SNAIL can be purchased from me for $12.95 or $8.50 for a refill.

Any orders placed on the night will have free shipping. Bring along a friend who hasn't attended any of my classes before and get your class half price. Hurry only limited spaces. I will run another one if there is enough interest or get your own group together.

Here is a sneak peek of one of the cards we will be making.



Look forward to seeing you all soon!

Thanks for looking,
Dani

Inkspirations Guest Designer

Hi guys,

I was so super excited this week. The card I made for the Inkspirations sketch challenge (You can find it by scrolling down a few posts of click here) 2 weeks ago won! I never enter challenges with the hopes or thoughts that I will or want to win but merely for the sheer fact that I get to stamp for myself. I also love seeing what other great ideas others come up with. There's so much talent out there! So when I saw my name that I had won I was absolutely blown away! The great thing about winning is you also get the great privlege of guest designing and having your card on Makeesha's blog, Such an honour. Here's the layout I got to work on for my guest design spot



I saw this sketch and was really intimidated at first, I think it was more the prospect of being a guest designer than it being a tough sketch. Once I got going it was really easy to whip up a card. I had a really great and fun card I wanted to do but with the busy-ness of also preparing for the blog hop yesterday and returning to work this week it just didn't get done. Hopefully I'll have a bit of time in the next few days. Here's the card I came up with instead.



I love the cute little cake in this stamp from Greetings 8! If you look closely you'll see the cake icing has a bit of bling. Looks so pretty IRL. I also have been having heaps of fun playing around with ruffling ribbon and different ribbon effects and I just love the cute little ruffled ribbon on this card. Gives it something extra without taking over the whole card.

Also apologies for the crap photo. I took over 40 photo's of it and just couldn't get it right. The sun hasn't been shining here in Sydney this week :-(

Stamp Set: Greetings 8
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Watercolour Paper, Sweet Always DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie, Pink Pirouette, None SU! Timber Brown Staz On
Accesories: Aqua Painter, Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Two-Way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Dimensionals

Thanks for looking,

Dani

The Inklings Christmas In July Blog Hop

Welcome to The INKlings’ Team’s Christmas in July blog hop. You may have arrived here from Kari Hughes's blog or just be visiting my blog, whichever way once you’ve checked out my creations you can continue the hop through the link at the end of this post to the next team member.

How quick is this year going! Have you started to think about your Christmas cards and projects yet? The INKlings team has and we thought that this month was the perfect time to host a Christmas in July blog hop. You'll find lots of great ideas provided by 17 team members’ fantastic blogs.

Want to win some Blog Candy? Simply leave a comment on each blog and then email Christie Wallace and let her know you’ve done so and you’ll be in the running for a fantastic prize of 17 handmade cards plus other goodies.

Sorry Blog Candy prize not available to SU! demonstrators but you're more than welcome to leave us a comment!

Well I don't know about you but I always have heaps of trouble at Christmas Time finding something to get for some people on my Christmas List who seem to already have everything. I then end up giving them chocolates or a gift card which is a little impersonal. So I thought this year it'd be great to give those people something from the heart. Something handmade. And something they can use. I made a Christmas Stationery Box. Which would be great to give as a gift a month before Christmas as a Getting Read for Christmas Stationery Box. You'll see why...

Here's the box closed with the lid on...



Take the lid off and you get... Oooh Pretty! Everything you could need for Christmas.



There is a bunch of Christmas Cards to give out... (I plan on making more but just didn't get the time this week)



Here's a pile of them



Next there's some cute little love note sized (3"x3") cards to add to presents



And a cute handmade notebook to write Christmas Present lists in, Card lists, Anything you like. I haven't secured it in properly so it can be removed to be written in or kept in your handbag. Please mind my handwritting!



There's also some little gift tags in there which I forgot to photograph, a little spot to put stamps to post your cards and there's also a Pen which wasn't attached when I took the photos. Yes it's been a really hectic week! If you are back on my blog in the next few days you'll find out why! I really hope you enjoy my project and get lots of inspiration to get you Christmas Projects started soon!

Well that’s all from me. Next stop on the INKlings’ Team Blog Hop is Beth Stewart. Have fun and don't forget to leave a comment on each blog to win some great Blog Candy.

Here is a list of all the blogs involved in the Hop just in case you loose your way

1. Christie
2. Dani H
3. Carol
4. Michelle D
5. Jayne
6. Kylie
7. Kari
8. Dani F
9. Beth
10. Nicky A
11. Clare
12. Amy
13. Fiona B
14. Michelle Frost-Stevenson
15. Fiona Poirier
16. Divya Rao
17. Rachel Jackson

Have Fun and hope you get lots of inspiration! And please (regardless of weather your a demo or not) give all the girls some comment love. They have all been working hard to give you some great projects.

Dani

Stamp Sets For Sale

Hi guys,

I've been going through the stamp sets I own and have decided it's time for a spring clear out. I have over 30 sets going cheap cheap cheap! Please contact me by commenting on this post with your email address (or send me an email) and I will email you a copy of the list of stamp sets I am selling and the prices. My email address is Danielle.fender@gmail.com

I am uploading photo's of the stamp sets and the condition they are in onto facebook within the next few days (My computer gets a little temperamental uploading them all at once). Feel free to add me as a friend and have a browse.

Discounts for multiple purchase will apply. This will also make shipping cheaper.

Thanks, Dani

July Special

This month Stampin' Up are focusing on two-step stamping. A fun technique that takes your projects to a whole new level. They have put a selection of their two step stamping sets 20% off from 1st July - 31st July. No minimum or maximum purchase, so go crazy... Choose any of the following stamp sets.

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
116386	39	Loads of Love	$39.95	$31.96
116342	42	Big Bold Birthday**	$53.95	$43.16
115860	78	A Rose is a Rose**	$66.95	$53.56
116332	86	Playful Petals**	$52.95	$42.36
115770	98	Cheep Talk	$47.95	$38.36
115946	115	Wonderful Favourites	$39.95	$31.96
119187	14*	Tiny Tags (wood-mount)	$38.95	$31.16
118592	14*	Tiny Tags (clear-mount)	$28.95	$23.16
119163	31*	Cottage Garden (wood-mount)	$32.95	$26.36
120003	31*	Cottage Garden (clear-mount)	$24.95	$19.96

*From 2010 Autumn-Winter Mini Catalogue
**Retiring stamp sets!

Contact me today at danielle.fender@gmail.com or 0420974200 to learn more about two step stampin' or to purchase any of the sets listed above.

Have a great day,
Dani

Retiring Colours

Hi guys,

I decided to make a card specifically for the JAI challenge this week. I have another great idea floating around up there which I hope to get done before cut off. I decided to use some of our retiring colours to make this card. Not only to use them before they go but to really celebrate how good some of the retiring colours are. I also decided to case a card from the current IB&C! I absolutly love the sweet card on page 8 of the catty. Here's my more boy-ish version of the card



Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Ink: Apricot Appeal
Cardstock: Apricot Appeal, Ruby Red, Brocade Blue, Whisper White
Accesories: Apricot Appeal and Brocade Blue Prints DSP pack, Scallop Egde Punch, Brocade Blue brads, Dimensionals, Polka Dot Folder, Big Shot

It's funny the last few cards I've made for JAI challenges have been alot more simple cards then I usually do. This is a fun card and would be great again for a make and take or a SAS. When I stamped the happy birthday sentiment I originally used my SAMJ and then thought no it'd look quirkier freehand so I stamped free hand instead. I like this look alot better. I don't think everything needs to be 100% perfect all the time to look great.

Thanks for looking,
Have a great evening! I'm off to watch my new favourite show, True Blood!

Dani

Baby Wipe Pizzazz

Hi guys,

Now I have a ripper of a card for you today. I started working on it on Friday and finally finished it today. I originally started with the latest Inkspirations sketch, This week being hosted by Cindy from the DT. She also gave us an extra challenge of using something you've been hoarding for a while. Here's this weeks sketch...



With that in mind I also felt like getting my fingers inky so I grabbed my re-inkers and headed to one of Stampin' buddies places. I combined our small stash of reinkers to stamp using the baby wipe technique. This technique can be used SO many ways and always has a beautiful and individual effect. I stamped using Petal Pizzazz and here's a close up of how my flowers turned out.



Doesn't it just give those flowers and leaves a little 'pop' and an extra something special? I'm so happy with this effect that u just may see it more often.

Then I decided to use Wonderful Favourites set for a sentiment in the circle. This set is so great and really versatile. I would also check back here in a few days for an upcoming special involving this set. Again being in the mood for something different I decided to use the Rock n Roll Technique to stamp my sentiment. Is a close up of how it turned out



With all these elements combined I added a few other bits and pieces like some scrunched ribbon which is really popular at the moment, some DSP (What card would be complete without DSP?) and some dimension and here's the final result...



Stamp Set: Wonderful Favourites, Petal Pizzazz
Cardstock: Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Gloss White, Summer Picnic DSP
Ink: Baha Breeze, Pacific Point
Reinkers: Baha Breeze, Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Circle Scissors Plus, Pacific Point Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Isn't it pretty? I'm really happy with how it turned out. Now the thing I've been hoarding is the DSP I used it the background. It is Summer Picinic DSP from the Summer Mini in 2008! Yep I'm definatly a hoarder! I also entered this card for Just Add Ink's current challenge which was Just Add Printed Paper (DSP).

Thanks for looking

Dani

Just Add Ink #22

Hi guys,

This week at Just Add Ink they had a colour challenge. As soon as I saw these I was like WOW! I really like them but wasn't 100% sure what to do with them. Especially when you put them together they are quiet bright. Here's the colours




So I started off by just punching out some squares of the colours to see them together and just get the ideas flowing and the squares then formed the inspiration for the card. Its quiet simple but I really really like it. It would be a great Make and Take or SAS card and would be easily replicated in different colours. After the card was done I realised the squares sorta reminded me of the card on page 63 of the current IB&C but it wasn't where I originally drew my inspiration.



Stamp Set: Party Hearty
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Kiwi Kiss, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: 1 1/2" square punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Dazzling Diamonds, Two way glue pen

I was really morning the loss of my Polka Dot BG stamp and my mat pack with this card. But it's good its giving me an extra challenge. If you look really close at the turquoise squares I have added a little glitter just to give it a little something extra. I am hoping I have some extra time (unlikely but I'm hoping) in the next few days to do a few more matching cards.

Thanks for looking
Dani

Bon Voyage Megs!

Hi Hi!

One of my good friends flew off for a trip to Europe and the US today. Last night we went out for Farewell drinks so I decided to make her a card to say goodbye. I used the Inkspirations Sketch from last week. Again I just didn't get organised in time to have it posted on my blog before the challenge ran out. I really like how it turned out but must say the photo really doesn't give it justice. I need to invest in an OTT light esp with these dreary winter days it would just make the world of difference to my photos. I'm really happy with how the card turned out even if the photo doesn't give it as much justice as it deserves.



Stamp Set: Petal Pizzazz, Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Trendy Trees
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Almost Amythest, Pink Pirouette, Kraft, Pink Pirouette Prints DSP
Ink: Almost Amythest, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, Basic Black
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals, 1 1/2' Square punch, 1/2 ' circle punch, Tombow glue, Chunky Glitter, Certainly Celery ribbon, Soft Subtles Brads

I'm really happy that this card turned out so well considering the lack of supplies I have atm. It was weird not having my normal abundance of scissors and having to rely on kitchen scissors which are really awful to work with. I lost 4 pairs of scissors and they are the only pair I have left in the house apart from chicken scissors lol! The baby wipes are also getting a work out to clean my stamps. I don't know how I lived without baby wipes for so long!

Have a good night
Dani

The benefits of having a demonstration

One of the things I do as a Stampin' Up Demonstrator is in home demonstrations. It's great fun for me and great fun for you as a host. There are lots of benefits of having an in home demonstration.

Here are some of the great incentives:
* You get to learn about Stampin' Up.
* Look at, touch and play with our products.
* You get to invite some girlfriends over and have a fun night in.
* You get to make a card to take home with you.
* You get free stamp sets and money to spend depending on how much people order. The more orders, the more incentives.
* You get hands on advice about products and how to use them
* It costs you nothing
* You get a lovely handmade gift from me just for having the demonstartion.

Here is a picture of a handmade gift pack I gave to one of my customers last week for having a demonstration.



There's a handmade card, An altered notepad and a little gift pack filled with hodgepodge. Here they are up close.



Hand made card



Altered Notepad



Little gift pouch. You undo the ribbon and in the middle in a gift of hodgepodge. Silly me didn't take a photo of it opened. I will be making some more soon so will post what they look like inside soon.

I love making gifts like this and the best bit was they were all made from scraps of cardstock I had lying around from Riley's birthday invitations.

Stamp Sets: Polka Dot BG, Petal Pizzazz
Cardstock: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette Prints DSP
Ink: Certainly Celery, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Certainly Celery Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Paper Snips

Thanks for looking
Dani

Feeling at loss...

WARNING PERSONAL POST!

Hi Guys,

I was on such a role last week with my posts and Stampin' Up stuff and I felt so good about everything. My mail outs were going out on time, I was putting specials on my blog. I felt so organised. Then 'tragedy' struck two Monday's ago and I have felt very lost.

Last Sunday (6th June) I did a demonstration. I was in alot of pain afterwards due to my hips still being out of action that Karl (My partner) asked me to leave everything in my boot until he got home from work so I didn't strain myself anymore. By the time he got home, we forgot about it. The next day whilst we were home, somebody broke into my car and stole my bag that I took to my demo. It had all my regularly used tools, stamp sets, accessories in it, Plus a huge tupperware container with 100+ cards in it, bigshot stuff and a scrap album I've been working on for Rileys 1st birthday (which was last weekend). They took other stuff but nothing much of value. We reported it to the police but nothing has shown up. I have worked out that I lost over $1000 worth of products. But it was more the sentimental things (scrap pages, cards, etc) that I am extremly annoyed about.

I have other stuff to post from before my bag was stolen and am hoping to start getting back to creating soon, I just feel really lost and like my stampin' mojo is gone. I also just don't feel I can create without my Stampin' Scrub and my bone scorer. It seems so petty, but for me its something that brings me absolute joy and I feel like someone has just taken that away from me without a thought about how there actions affected other people. On the positive side, Stampin' Up will love my next order!

Thanks for reading and be sure to come back soon to see my mojo come back.

Dani

6X6 Scrapbook Page Swap

WOW 3 posts in 4 days, I'm on fire!!!! And theres lots more to come too! I'm so proud of myself!

I just had the opportunity to participate in a 6x6 Scrapbook Page Swap with my fellow Inklings. The theme was 'HOME.' I struggled at first cos I don't have many photos of my current house and all my ones of my old place are on another computer. I then thought about what my meaning of Home really is. For me home is a sense of belonging, of love and somewhere you go and feel comfortable. My family makes where I live feel like home so I thought to incorporate them into my page. Here's what I came up with...



The top note pulls out from behind the photo to reveal journalling and looks like this



I apologise about the photos. I find it so difficult to take photos of scrapbook pages without making them look all odd shaped.

Stamp Set: Priceless
Ink: Versamark, Melon Mambo
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Kraft, Basic Black, Ballet Blue
Accessories: Black grosgrain, White Gel Pen, Black Stampin' Write, Dimensionals, Big Shot, Top Note Dye

Thanks for looking
Dani